Enchant Your Taste Buds With Organic Mixology’s Eco-Friendly Liqueurs

I was recently introduced to Organic Mixology (also known as OM), an award-winning and socially conscious liqueur brand. After learning about their approach to producing organic and eco-friendly liqueurs from 100% organic sugarcane distillate, organic extracts, essential oils, and agave nectar, I was excited to experiment with their unique flavor line.

After tasting through the set (see my tasting notes below), the flavors and aromas of each item were incredibly enticing. Not only were the liqueurs smooth on the palate, but they were not overly sweet as some alternatives in this category can be. At 17.5% alcohol by volume, these cocktail companions are a wonderful addition to a number of mixed drinks, including cannabis cocktails!

To explore the brand further, I had the opportunity to interview Organic Mixology’s Co-Founder & CMO, Natalie Bovis. Natalie and her business partner, Jason Monkarsh, Co-Founder & CEO of OM, launched the brand with the vision of creating a high-quality line of organic liqueurs. As an industry leader, Natalie was named one of four women “Changing the Liquor Industry" by Bustle and one of “100 Trailblazing Women In Hospitality.” In addition to Organic Mixology, Natalie is also the founder of The Liquid Muse, the consulting, educational, and catering resource for spirit companies, bar professionals, event coordinators, and home entertainers.

Natalie, thank you so much for interviewing with me. I love your brand concept and packaging. What was the inspiration behind Organic Mixology (aka OM)?

Thank you! When we started OM Liqueurs, we saw a need for a high-quality, organic liqueur. With the mixology trend growing, we wanted to create something that any home bartender could easily mix into a cocktail or sip on its own, while still living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Both Jason and I are long-time entrepreneurs. When we combined Jason’s past product marketing and my mixology expertise, we knew we could get something exciting out to the public. We were thrilled when respected bartenders also started using OM in cocktails at acclaimed bars from coast to coast.

Your liqueurs are incredibly light and smooth on the palate versus other options that tend to taste like syrup. Tell me more about your distilling process. Why did you decide to use sugarcane and agave nectar to create the product versus other alternatives?

Creating a lower-sugar liqueur was one of our goals with OM. We are proud that OM Liqueurs provide rich flavor yet have a clean finish because this makes them both tastier and more versatile. We use a sugarcane spirit which has a naturally fresh characteristic. And, we tried out a few natural sweeteners while developing OM because a “liqueur,” by definition, is a sweetened floral or fruity alcoholic beverage. We found that the agave nectar imparted the right mouthfeel and flavor, and by working closely with our distiller while developing the liqueurs, we think we found the right balance. All of the ingredients in OM Liqueurs are sourced from responsible companies, and all have passed the rigorous screening for OM to be USDA Certified Organic. Everything that is blended into the bottles is something we can feel good about.

You’ve created some unique flavor blends. I especially love the Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt and Coconut & Lychee. What was your inspiration behind each item?

The layering of flavors in each expression is a fun way to make OM Liqueurs even more enticing. For example, the coconut & lychee can be simply mixed with club soda over ice (or added to a vodka soda) and tastes like a much fancier drink, yet it only has 2 or 3 ingredients. This makes OM really easy and fun for home entertainers, and it is also an advantage for busy bartenders in a bustling bar because they can use a spirit + OM + citrus and quickly have a high-end drink any guest would love. While developing our products, we researched and monitored flavor and cocktail trends to see what people loved the most–and where they were willing to let their taste buds explore.

If you had to choose, what is your all-time favorite cocktail to make with OM? Are there any mixology tips you can recommend for Herb Somm readers?

Right now, we are really excited that Espresso Martinis are so popular because our OM Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt is amazing when shaken up with a little vodka, espresso and even a splash of coconut milk. It’s a low sugar, low calorie treat that feels really indulgent and it happens to be right on trend this year! The best tip for making cocktails at home is to use the best quality ingredients possible. Fresh fruit (muddle raspberries or squeeze lemons) and good quality alcohol…organic when possible. OM Liqueurs also donates proceeds to causes we believe in so our customers can know that they are helping us make a difference in the world whenever they choose one to buy one of our bottles. We are excited to see what kinds of drinks you come up with!

OM Tasting Notes

After tasting OM’s products, there are many creative cocktail ideas that come to mind. To learn more about the flavor profiles, here are my tasting notes:

Meyer Lemon & Ginger - Light & bright.

The nose opens up with bright ginger and citrus notes followed by a slight hint of white blossoms. On the palate, the liqueur is smooth with almost a creamy characteristic. While sweet, it’s balanced by the citrus notes. It’s also light and bright on your taste buds! A perfect, refreshing addition to a Moscow Mule and a number of mixed drinks that could use a touch of ginger. Click here to purchase.

Vanilla & Rose - Springtime in a glass.

Floral notes jump out of the glass and immediately awaken the senses. Soft vanilla notes follow, but are subtle and rounded out by the essence of rose petals. On the palate, floral notes take charge, while vanilla and a slight hint of lychee dance on the back of the tongue, creating a unique tasting profile. This liqueur reminds me of springtime in a glass! This would be a wonderful addition to a number of springtime drink recipes or a summer spritz. Click here to purchase.

Coconut & Lychee - A tropical vacation for your palate.

Tropical coconut notes playfully entice the nose followed by hints of red fruits, lychee, and tropical flowers. On the palate, the liqueur is smooth and presents stronger lychee notes mixed with soft coconut flavors. The lychee flavor helps balance the coconut and is playfully light on the palate compared to other coconut-flavored spirits or liqueurs. This would be a fun addition to a Pina-Colada, Mai-Tai, or Mojito. Click here to purchase.

Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt - For the chocolate lovers.

If you’re a chocolate lover, you will adore this liqueur. Dark chocolate notes enchant the nose followed by hints of macadamia nuts and sea salt. As you continue to smell, there’s also a faint hint of red cherry. On the palate, the liqueur is smooth, as it glides over the taste buds. Dark chocolate notes are most apparent, but the cherry and sea salt notes carry through. Perfect for a number of cold weather drinks including hot chocolate. It would also be an excellent addition to an Espresso Martini or could spice up your favorite cup of coffee. Click here to purchase.

Since it’s summertime in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was inspired to create a tropical Mai Tai using OM’s Coconut & Lychee liqueur. I also added in a few drops of cannabis-infused bitters for an enhanced drinking experience. Remember, when mixing alcohol and cannabis, start low and go slow. Microdosing the drink is typically best, so you don’t over do it.

Continue reading for the recipe, and be sure to head over to Organic Mixology’s website for more information on their eco-friendly line of organic liqueurs. Use my promo code HERB for an additional $10 off any purchase of 2 or more bottles. Cheers, and enjoy!

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OM Coconut & Lychee Cannabis-Infused Mai Tai

Yield: 1 serving

Target Dose: between 2 mg CBD | < 1 mg THC per drink (using Infused Citrus Spice Bitters, find the recipe in my book Cannabis Drinks) or your preferred dose (using commercially made CBD or THC alcohol tincture of your choice)

Equipment:

Shaker Tin

Hawthorn Strainer

Rocks glass

Ingredients:

1 ounce OM Coconut & Lychee

¾ ounce dark rum

¾ ounce lime juice

1 ¾ ounces pineapple juice

1 ¼ ounce guava nectar juice

¼ ounce maraschino cherry juice

Dash of cannabis-infused bitters

Fresh pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, and fresh cannabis leaves for garnish

Directions:

Combine the OM liqueur, dark rum, lime juice, and pineapple juice in the bottom of a shaker tin. Add ice, then shake until cold. Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice. Top with the guava nectar, then strain the shaker tin over the rocks glass to create a juice layer. Top the glass with maraschino cherry juice and a dash of cannabis-infused bitters. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, and fresh cannabis leaves, then enjoy!

**Sponsored By Organic Mixology

About the Author:

Jamie Evans is the founder of The Herb Somm blog and author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol and Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home. She is an author, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in cannabis, food, recipes, wine, and the canna-culinary world. In addition to her work in the cannabis industry, Jamie has over a decade of wine industry experience and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. Having represented a wide array of organizations and wineries, she is best known for her literary work and producing high-end events. She was also named as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2018. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheHerbSomm.